Ranca Upas Campground, Ciwidey

Bumi Perkemahan Ranca Upas Ciwidey (Ciwidey Ranca Upas Campgrounds) was the last tourist spot we visited while in Ciwidey, South Bandung area. Actually we managed to stop briefly at Kampung Strawberry (Strawberry Village), still in Ciwidey area, after leaving Ranca Upas Campgrounds, but we did not enter into the compound.

The visit to the Ranca Upas Campgrounds was a bit too short, so it might not be sufficient to describe the real situation there. Stamina, thoroughness, and the level of "hunger" in taking photos would tend to decline when visiting several places at once in a day. The presence of friends who could encourage each other would be very helpful.

At Ranca Upas Campgrounds there's also deer breeding and conservation facility. Extraordinary population growth in Java has indeed created serious problems for any kind of animals that ever lived in this very fertile island. So the breeding facility of this kind has become one of the last hopes for the animals to avoid permanent extinction.

Sign of Ranca Upas Campgrounds and Deer Breeding managed by Perhutani (State owned enterprise managing State Forests). Deer bred in this place is the protected Java deer. A moment later we passed one of the campgrounds area of Ranca Upas at a distance of 500 m from the main road of Ciwidey, where a group of women was holding a joint event.

There were several campsites in the area of Ranca Upas Campgrounds which covers 215 ha of land. One campsite is located in the Middle Leuweung, which is in the middle of a protected forest. From a signpost, I got information that in Ranca Upas Campgrounds there were Tegal Kawani (outbound area), fishing spots, restaurant and ATV rental. I then walked on the footpath leading to Deer Breeding facility at Ranca Upas Campgrounds, with the observation platform available for visitors. It seems that there were quite a lot visitors who wanted to see, so the platform was pretty long. From this platform visitors could also enjoy the atmosphere with views of green hills in the distance.

Above photo were several Java Deer collection of Ranca Upas Campgrounds which were bred in the facility. They were being lured with carrot to approach the keeper. The deer breeding facility of Ranch Upas Campgrounds could be the last hope for the Java deer to survive. They were still rather afraid of strangers, but they did not also run away either.

Only male deer with horns, and the first horn with straight shape usually grows at 12-14 months of age. The horns then naturally detached after 10-12 months and new horns, or antlers, will grow which is three-pronged. The Java deer ( Cervus timorensis ) which were bred in Ranca Upas Campgrounds has a body length of 98-111 cm and weighing 45-50 kg.

The outbound area named Tegal Kawani at Ranca Upas Campground is located at the same side as with the Java deer breeding facility. It would be very nice if sometime I could camp at the Ranca Upas Campgrounds. Tents are available on site, and we just need to rent them, there are also convenient bathrooms with hot and cold water.

Java deer furry is reddish-brown, with the neck, lower legs and buttocks of a lighter color, ears direction to the front, and short-tailed. Ranca Upas Campgrounds maintained 11 Java deer, 5 of them were females who have given birth to some baby deer. Java deer usually live in groups, led by the oldest female who told the group if there is danger. Under normal circumstances, the Java deer can survive up to 15 years old. Doe pregnancy period is about 6 months, and as most animals runner, there will only be one fawn for each mother doe. One of the Ranca Upas Campgrounds employees specializing in nurturing the Java deer is Mr. Aep. He has been taking care of the Java deer since last year.

A group of women was holding a joint event.Ranca Upas. There are stalls selling boiled noodles, boiled corn, fried foods, and warm drinks. Because of the very cold temperatures in the early morning, do not forget to bring a thick jacket, skullcaps, gloves, and socks. Ranca Upas also provides villa with 3 bedrooms, hall, fireplace, kitchen, bathroom with hot water, with rental of Rp. 800,000 per night.

Another option is using pp travel from Jakarta - Bandung to the nearest point to Leuwipanjang Terminal. From Leuwipanjang Terminal, use ELF public transportation or Putra Setia bus serving Bandung - Ciwidey, get off at Ciwidey (Rp.6.000). From Ciwidey use public transportation Ciwidey - Situ Patengan (Rp.6.000) get off at the entrance of Ranch Upas.